BLACKPOOL karate kid Dale Noble faces missing the World Championships in Canada - despite being rated second best in the country for his age.

The trip will cost around £2,000 for flights and accommodation for Dale and his family - a figure most people would struggle to find.

Dale's instructor, Rob Campbell of Blackpool Budokan, has nothing but praise for the youngster.

He said: "It would be a tremendous shame if the person who is number two in Britain would be unable to show for his country because of a cash shortage.

"I feel that Dale especially deserves help - he is a bit of a rarity, a well-behaved, respectful, hard-working 12-year-old who is a great ambassador for his family, our club and his country.

"He really is one in a million. We are always trying to raise funds for the bigger items our club needs, but generally we wait until luck intervenes as travel costs usually fall on me, as chief instructor and chauffeur."

Anyone who may be able to help Dale fulfil his obligations and attend his first World Championships can contact Rob Campbell on 768901 or 0378 485657.

Dale's father Ray has been in the news himself recently.

He fought through thick smoke and to rescue neighbour Julie Morgan from her blazing flat.

Dale saw smoke pouring from the windows of the All Hallows Road flat on Sunday afternoon and alerted his dad, who dialled 999 and raced to the scene.

Mother-of-two Julie was in a critical condition at Royal Preston Hospital having suffered burns to 80-90 per cent of her body.

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